Tank filler cap



Oct, 8, 1935- L. w. G. FLYNT TANK FILLER CAP Filed June 15, 1934 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR 400/5 MG. fZr/vr ATTORN EY Oct. 8, 1935. 4 w; G, FLYNT 2,016,773

TANK FILLER CAP Filed June 15, 1934 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Max:221 l N E NTO R K 100/5 14 6. AVA/7 BY 5 Q i ATTORNEY Patented Oct. 8; 1935 PATENT OFFICE TANK men car I Louis w. G. Flynt, East Orange, N. 1., assignor to Breeze Corporations, Inc., Newark, N. J.

Application June 15, 1934, Serial No. 730,698

'13 Claims. (01. 220-24) inlet port of the tank with a projecting, circular neck through which the tank may be filled. A

' cap is secured on the neck to close the tank.

The invention described herein is particularly suited for use on fuel tanks of mobile units such as aeroplanes where the tank and cap are subjccted to vibration, inversion and other stresses. Of course, it will be obvious that the cap may be used as a closure for containers or tanks which are used for other purposes.

Two types of caps are in common use. In one type the cap is threaded and is adapted to be screwed on to the neck of the tank until it seats. The other type is known as a quick-acting cap, in which a plurality of projecting members on the cap are adapted to enter slots on the neck and be held in position by spring pressure obtained by a partial rotation of the cap. Each type has certain advantages which are offset to a large extend by disadvantages. The broad object of this invention is to provide a cap which will combine all of the advantages of the two types referred to but which will obviate their disadvantages.

'A specific object of the invention is to provide a quick-acting screw means to force a valve member against a seat.

One objection to ordinary screw caps is that the cap must be rotated many times to seal the inlet neck. Therefore, a further specific object of the invention is to provide a cap adapted to be secured in position by a partial turn of the cap.

In the use of caps which are adapted for removable, threaded engagement with the neck, there is danger of improper engagement of the threads upon application of the cap. Therefore, a further specific object of the invention is to provide a removable cap adapted to be secured by action of a threaded element and having the complementary member which receives the threaded element permanently secured thereto.

v The invention consists of the construction, combination and arrangement of parts as herein illustrated, described and claimed.

In the accompanying drawings, forming part hereof, is illustrated one form of embodiment of the invention, in which drawings similar reference characters designate corresponding parts, and

in which: v

Figure l is a vertical section, showing the cap with the valve seated;

Figure 2 is a horizontal section taken approxi mately on line 2-2 of 'Figure 1, looking in the direction indicated by the arrows;

Figure 3 is a perspective view showing the essential parts of the cap in separated position; and,

Figure 4 is a vertical section, partly in elevation, showing the cap with the valve unseated.

Referring to the drawings, 5 designates a cir- 5 cular neck or intake opening secured to or formed as an integral part of a tank or other container. The neck 5 is formed with an angular offset 6 so as to provide an inclined face on the inner side thereof. An enlarged portion I of the neck 5 1 extends past the offset 6. Secured to the inner face of the extension 1 is a ring '8 having formed therein a plurality of vertical slots 9 and a plurality of horizontal slots in each of which merges with the lower portion of one of the slots 9. The 15 ring 8 may be eliminated and the slots 9 and I0 formed directly in the extension 1, if desired.

Disposed over the extension i on the neck 5 is a cover I I provided with a depending. side wall II. The cover H is provided with a central opening I3 ,to receive the upper end of a supporting stud It. When the parts are assembled the stud I4 is rigidly secured to the cover II and all of the elements hereinafter described, are supported on the stud l4. Near its upper end the stud I4 is provided with a seat l5 and the body of the stud I4 is formed with left-hand screw threads i6. Below the threads is the stud i4 is formed with an opening IT to receive a pin as hereinafter described. A circular plate I8 is provided with a central opening and is seated on the seat l5of the stud ll. The plate I8 is adapted for free rotation with re-. lation to the stud 14. The plate It is of uniform thickness and the upper side thereof is made'con- 3B vex to add strength. The periphery of the plate I8 is, formed with a plurality of projecting fingers I9 adapted to operate into the slots 9 and Ill as hereinafter described. Surrounding the upper end of the stud l4 between the upper surface of 40 the plate l8 and the under surface of the cover I I is a coil spring 20. When the parts are assembled the spring 20 is compressed. when the cover ll is initially rotated it isde sirable that the plate l8 be rotated therewith. The frictional engagement-of the spring 20 under compression causes the plate IE to rotate with the cover I I as hereinafter described.

Carried by the threaded portion l6 of the stud m M is a bushing 2| the interior of which is provided with left-hand threads to co-operate with the threads it. The bushing 2| is provided at its upper end with aprojecting flange 22 and a shank 23 provided with plane faces. At its lower end the 86 bushing 2| is exteriorly provided with ordinary right-hand screw threads 24.

The bushing 2| supports a valve member which comprises two retaining elements and a packing member. The upper retaining member 25 is provided with a central opening 26 having plane portlons adapted to engage with the shank 23 on the bushing 2|. The member 25 is provided with a circular wall 21 which is interrupted by vertical slots 28, through which projectthe fingers H! of the plate i8. Below the retainer 25 is a packing member 29 which may be made of cork, composition, or any material suitable for the purpose. The edge of the packing member 29 is beveled to form a seat 39. Below the packing 29 is disposed a second retainer 3| provided with a circular dependent flange 32. The retainer 3| is of less circumference than the packing 29 or the retainer 25 so as to permit the seat 30 to contact the offset 6, as hereinafter described. The members 29 and 3| are formed with central openings to permit the passage of the bushing 2| therethrough.

When the parts are assembled a retaining washer 33 (Figure 1) is disposed on the lower end of the stud I4 above the opening H. A pin 34 is disposed through the opening H to hold the washer 33 inposition. The washer 33 partially covers the lower end of the bushing 2| and thereby limits the extent of movement in one direction of the bushing 2| with relation to the stud H.

Carried by the lower end of the bushing 2| is a flanged interiorly threaded securing member 35. The packing member 29 and the retainers 25 and 3| are rigidly held between the flange 22 of the bushing 2| and the flange on the member 35. The

' lower end of the securing member 35 is bifurcated at 36 to receive one end of a chain 31 which is secured in place by a pin 38. The opposite end of the chain 31 is secured to the inner wall of the neck 5 by an anchor 39, the ends of which may be soldered in place. The purpose of the chain 31 is to permit the removal of the cap, but to prevent accidental loss thereof.

When the cap is applied to the inlet 5 the cover I is placed over the extension The projections |9 on the plate I8 enter the vertical slots 9 in the ring 8. When the projections l9 reach the bottom of the slots 9 the cover I is rotated in a clockwise direction. The friction of the spring 20 is sufiicient to carry the plate H! with the cover I I so that the projections l9 are carried to the extremitles of the horizontal slots Ill. The end walls of the slots l0 engage against the projections I9 and prevent further movement of the plate l8. The pressure of the spring 20 is such that the resistance thereof may be easily overcome and the rotation of the cover continued. In the initial rotation of the cover II the bushing 2|, and all of the parts supported thereby, will rotate'with the cover However, when the movement of the plate I8 is stopped as above pointed out, the

walls of the vertical slots 28 in the retainer 25 will contact the projections IS on the plate l8 and the retainer 25 will be prevented from further rotation. Since the central opening 26 in the-retainer 25 is of irregular contour and receives the complementary, irregular shank 23 of the bushing 2 I, the bushing 2| will be prevented from further movement. Therefore, once the rotation of the cover I is continued after the projections l9 have reached the extremity of the slots Hi, the only member which moves with the cover. II is the stud l4. 3

When the cap is applied the projections l9 and the seat 30 are in the position shown in Figure 4.

Since the threads l6 on the stud M are reversed or left-handed, clockwise rotation of the cover II and the stud l4 tends to withdraw the stud I from the bushing 2|. This movement increases the distance between the plate l8 and the packing 29. As the rotation of the cover I I continues the projections I9 will bear against the upper wall of the slots l0, and the seat 39 of the member 29 will be seated on the offset 6 of the .neck 5. In this way a liquid proof seal is provided and the packing member 29 is held in position under com pression.

When it is desired to remove the cap the cover I is rotated in a counter-clockwise direction. As soon as the pressure of the projections I9 against the upper wall of the slot 0 is relieved sumciently to permit the projections |9 to slide with relation to the wall of the slot II), the plate i8 under the influence of the spring 20 will turn with the cover When the projections |9 reach the vertical slots 8 the cover I may be removed. Partial rotation of less than is usually suflicient to remove the cap.

If the spacing between the plate l8 and the packing 29 is not disturbed by rotation of the parts while the cap is off, a partial rotation of less than 90 isusually suflicient to firmly seat the packing when the cap is again applied. In the event that the valve member and its associated parts are rotated with relation to the cover II and the stud [4 while the cap is removed, it is possible that the packing 29 will seat directly on the offset 3 before the projections |9 have passed sufllciently far down the vertical slots 9 to enter the slots I0. In this event the cover I is simply rotated in a counter-clockwise direction. The plate l8 and the valve member will be prevented from movement since the projections l9 will abut the wall of the slots 9. Therefore, the distance between the plate IB and the packing 29-will quickly be decreased until the projections I!) are able to enter the horizontal slots II). The cover I is then rotated in a clockwise direction and the valve member is quickly seated.

From the foregoing it will be seen that a liquid proof seal will be achieved and maintained under the pressure of the screw threads on the stud l4. At the same time, the cap may be quickly removed or applied. Furthermore, there is no danger of improper engagement of the threaded members upon application or; the cap since the bushing 2| is in engagement with the threads l6 of the stud l4 at all times which precludes the possibility of cross threads.

Having thus fully described the invention, what is claimed as new and desired to be secured by Letters Patent is:

1. A closure comprising a cover adapted to be rotatably positioned over an opening in a container, members carried by the cover to engage in recesses in the container, a valve member and means controlled by rotation of the cover to force the valve member against a seat on the container comprising a screw threaded member rotatable with the cover and means engageable with themembers carried by the cover to prevent rotation of the valve member.

2. A closure comprising a cover adapted to be rotatably positioned over an opening in a container, members carried by the cover to engage in recesses in the container, a valve member and means controlled by rotation of the cover to force the valve member against a seat on the container comprising a screw threaded member carried by and means engageable with the members carried by the cover to prevent rotation of the valve member.

3. A cap to close the-intake opening or a tank comprising a valve adapted to seat on the tank, a threaded shaft on which the valve is carried, a, plate mounted on the shaft, projections on the plate adapted to enter slots in the tank, meansengageable with the projections on the plate to prevent rotation of the valve and means to rotate the shaft to-seat the valve. v

4. A cap to close the intake opening of a tank comprising a valve adapted to seat on the tank, a threaded shaft on which the valve is carried, a

plate mounted on the shaft, projections-Yon the plate adapted to enter slots in the tank, means engageable with the projections on the plate to prevent rotation of the valve, means to force the projections on theplate against the tank and the valve against the seat by rotation of the shaft and means to rotate the shaft.

5. In combination with a circular intake neck on a tank provided with an inclined seat and a plurality of slots above the seat, a cap to close the neck comprising-avalve member. adapted'to contact the inclined seat on the neck, a threaded stud disposed through the valve member, a plate carried by the stud above the valve, projections on the plate adapted to enter the slots on the neck, means to rotate the stud to force the valve againstthe seat and the projections of the plate against the upper walls of the slots and means engageable with the projections on the plate to prevent rotation of the valve.

6. In combination with a circular intake neck on a tank provided with an inclined seat and a plurality 'of slots above the seat, a cap to close the neck comprising a valve'member adapted to contact the inclined seat on the neck, a threaded stud disposed through the'val've member, a plate carried by the stud above the valve, projections on the plate adapted to enter the slots on the neck, means to rotate the stud to force the valve against the seat and the projections of the plate against the upper wallsof the slots and means to prevent rotation of the valve comprising a vertical wall on the valve having openings through which the projections on the plate extend.

7. In combination with a circular intake neck on a tank provided with an inclined seat and a plurality of slots above the seat, a cap to close the neck comprising a cover to overlay the neck, a

a partially threaded stud carried by the cover and extending into the neck, a-plate loosely mounted on the stud and provided with extensions to enter the slots and avalve carried by the threaded portion of the stud adapted to contact the seat on'the neck to seal the-neck.

' 8. In combination with acircular intake neck on a tank provided with an inclined seat -and a plurality of slots above the seat, a capto close the-neck comprising a cover to overlay thene'ck, a partially threaded stud carried by the cover and extending into the neck, a plate loosely mounted on the stud and provided with extensions to enter the slots and a valve carried by the threadedportion of the stud adapted to contact the seat on the neck to seal the neck, said cover and stud being adapted to be rotated to seat the valve, the movement of the stud being neck comprising a cover to overlay the neck, 5

a partially threaded stud carried by the cover and extending intothe neck, aplate mounted on the stud and provided. with extensions to enter the slots, a valve carried bythe" threaded portion of the stud adapted to contactthe seat on 1' the neck to seal the neck, said cover and stud being adapted to be rotated to seat the valve, the

- movement of the stud being limited by the-projections engaged in the slots and means'engage-. able with the projectionsv on the plate'to prevent-15 rotation of the valve.

10. In combination with a circular intake neck on a tank provided with an inclined 'seat and a plurality of sl0ts' above the seat, a cap to close the neck comprising a cover tooverlay the neck, :9 a partiallythreaded stud carried by the cover and extending into the neck, a plate mounted onthe stud" and provided with extensions to-enter the slots, a valve carried by the threaded por tion of the stud adapted to contact the seat on 5 the neck toseal the'neck,., said cover and stud being adapted to be rotated to seat the valve, the movement of the stud being limited by the projections engagedin the slots and means to prevent rotation 'of the. valve comprising an in- 30 terrupted wall on the valve abutting the projections on the plate.

11. In combination with a circular intake neck on a tank provided with a seat and a plurality of I slots above the seat, a cap to close the neck com- 35 prising a cover to overlay the neck, a partially threaded stud carried by the cover and extending into the neck, a plate loosely mounted on the stud and provided with extensionsto enter the slots, a valve carried by the-threaded 'por- 40 tion of the stud adapted to contact the seat on the neck to seal the neckand friction means between the cover andthe platetocause rotation of the plate upon rotation of the cover. 12. In combination with a circular intake'neck a on a tank .provided with a seat and a'plurality of slots above the seat, a cap to. close the neck comprising a cover .to overlay the neck, a partially threaded stud carried by the cover and extendingv into the neck, a plate loosely mounted 50 on the stud and provided with extensions to enter the slots, a valve carried by the threaded por-. tion ofthe stud adapted to contact the seat on the neck to seal the-neck and spring means be-- tween the cover and the plate to cause rotation 55 of. the plate upon rotation of the cover. 13. In combination with a circular intake neck on a tank provided with a seat and a plurality of slots .abovethe seat, a cap toclose the neck comprising a cover to overlay the neck, a par- 00 tially threaded stud carried by the cover and extending into the neck, a plate loosely mounted on the stud and provided with extensions to en- 

